An assessment of country AI activities can help answer many important policy questions, such as how a country is doing relative to others, and the research areas where it collaborates most often, and with whom. While several existing indices help us answer parts of these questions, there are missing pieces that prevent users from getting a comprehensive picture. Moreover, most conversations are still occurring at a broader “AI” level with an absence of sub-component level analysis, which is crucial for adding nuance to AI policy discussions.

To support our team’s analysis and that of others across the technology policy space, CSET is developing and enhancing the Country Activity Tracker (CAT), an interactive tool for exploring country-level data on tech competitiveness and collaboration. This version looks to assess AI development and presents data on indicators such as research, patents, and investment. Researchers can use CAT to:

• Examine a country’s (or countries’) domestic AI ecosystem;
• Compare how a country is doing relative to others; and
• Explore pathways for cross-country collaboration.

CAT is currently in beta form. This version looks only at AI. It does not comprise all indicators necessary for AI development, does not cover all countries across the three indicators displayed, and the data displayed is not necessarily representative of a country’s tech sector. In the future, we will continue to refine our data and methods, add more indicators, and potentially broaden our scope to include other topics.

If you spot any errors or wish to provide feedback, please submit your suggestions here.